Application of Geometric measure Theory in Continuum Mechanics: The Configuration Space, Principle of Virtual Power and Cauchy's Stress Theory for Rough Bodies

Abstract

In this work, the principles of Homological Integration Theory are applied to the mathematical formulation of continuum mechanics. A central guideline in the currently acceptable formulation of continuum mechanics is that an admissible body is represented by a set of finite perimeter. The proposed framework is shown to enable the inclusion of a class of generalized bodies for which a corresponding stress theory is properly formulated and a generalized principle of virtual power is presented.